Social Science : Term 2 Unit 3 : Continents of the world
UNIT 3
Continents of the world
Learning objectives
Students will be able to:
* describe the key features of each continent.
* describe some countries in each continent.
Introduction
Where do we all live? We all live on the Earth. Earth is our home. The total land on the earth is formed of seven continents of various sizes. Some are connected to each other while others are not. Each continent has a different number of countries. The seven continents of the world are: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe and Australia.
Asia
Asia is the world’s largest continent in size and population. The world’s two most populous countries, China and India are in Asia. Asia has the highest point on earth, the peak of Mount Everest which is in the Himalayas. Asia is the birth of great ancient civilisations: Indus civilisation, Chinese civilisation and Mesopotamian civilisation.
The Great Wall of China is the man made structure that can be seen from space.
LET US KNOW
Thousands of years ago, the seven continents of the world were joined together as a single huge landmass called Pangaea. But it slowly broke apart and separated as seven continents.
Some other countries in Asian continent are Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Maldives, Philippines, Afghanistan, Thailand and Indonesia. Now let us learn more about our country which is the part of Asia.
India
India is our country. India is known as the Land of unity in diversity as people from different religions, languages, cultures live united. India has 29 states and 7 union territories. New Delhi is the capital of India. India has several historical monuments. Taj Mahal is one such monument. It is situated in Agra on the banks of river Yamuna. Taj Mahal is built completely using white marble stones. This most beautiful monument is recognised as one of the seven wonders of the world.
Some other historic monuments in India include India Gate in Delhi, Sanchi Stuba near Bhopal, Gateway of India in Mumbai, St George Fort and GangaiKonda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu .
ACTIVITY
Let us Paste
Collect and paste pictures of seven wonders of the world.
Africa
Africa is the second largest continent of the seven continents of the world, The world’s longest river the Nile and the world’s largest desert the Sahara, both are home in Africa. More than 50% of the world’s gold and diamonds come from the mineral rich continent of Africa.
Think
Is it correct to pollute our rivers?
LET US KNOW
The continent was uninhabitable (Not fit for habitation) and remained unknown for thousands of years, earning it the name of ‘Dark Continent’
Some countries in African continent are: Sudan, Libya, Egypt, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Guinea.
North America
North America is entirely within the Northern Hemisphere. North America is the third largest continent by area, following Asia and Africa. The largest fresh water lake, Lake Superior is located in this continent. The Mississippi – Missouri, is one of the longest river located in North America. The United States of America (USA) is a part of North America.
LET US KNOW
North America is the only continent in the world that has all climatic types.
Some countries in North American continent are: Canada, Mexico, Nicaragua, Honduras, Cuba, Guatemala, Panama and Costa Rica.
South America
South America is located mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The world’s largest river which is also the second longest is the Amazon river in South America. Brazil a country in South America is one of the largest coffee producer in the world. The Andes is one of the longest mountain range in South America. Andes is an example of fold mountain. Mt. Aconcagua is the highest peak in the Andes. One of the highest volcanoes of the world, Mt. Cotopaxi is found in this continent.
The Amazon rainforest covers most of the Amazon Basin in South America.
Some countries in South American continent are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
ACTIVITY
Let us write
* Write the name of the country and its continent in the table below.
Country : Continent
India : Asia
Zimbabwe : Africa
Canada : North America
Argentina : South America
France : Europe
Antarctica
Antarctica is the coldest continent on Earth. It is also called the White Continent or the Frozen Continent. Antarctica experiences half a year of sun light and half a year of complete darkness. Penguins are found in Antractica. There are only permanent research stations from different countries can be found there.
Europe
Europe and Asia are parts of the same major landmass. Europe is separated from Asia by the Ural mountains and the Caspian Sea. The world’s smallest country, the Vatican City, is in Europe. The Volga is one of the longest rivers in Europe.
LET US KNOW
Finland, in Europe, is called the ‘Land of Lakes’ because melting ice sheets have created a lot of lakes here.
Some countries in European continent are: France, Spain, United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Austria, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy.
LET US KNOW
Russia, the country stretches over a vast expanse of Eastern Europe and Northern Asia.
Ukraine’s Steppe region is called the Bread Basket of Europe because it produces a large amount of wheat.
Think
Which state is called the Bread Basket of India?
Answer: Punjab
Australia
Australia is an Island continent covered with unique landscapes and natural wonders. The Great Barrier Reef, the pride and joy of Australia is made up of nearly 2,500 individual reefs and visible from space. Australia includes the islands of Tasmania and numerous small islands.
Glossary
Civilisation : A society in an advanced state of social development.
Island: A piece of land surrounded by water.
Monument: A building that is of historical importance and preserved as public property.
Recap
* Earth has seven continents. Each of these seven continents is divided into countries.
* The names of the seven continents of the world are: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe and Australia.
EVALUATION
I. Choose the correct answer.
1. There are _________ continents in the world.
a) Five
b) Seven
c) Nine
Answer: b) Seven
2. The largest continents is _________
a) Africa
b) Asia
c) North America
Answer: b) Asia
3. _________ is the longest river in the world.
a) Kaveri
b) Ganga
c) Nile
Answer: c) Nile
4. Lake Superior is located in_________
a) North America
b) Australia
c) Europe
Answer: a) North America
5. Penguins are found in _________
a) Asia
b) Antarctica
c) Africa
Answer: b) Antarctica
II. Match the following.
1 Asia – Vatican city
2 Africa – Amazon forest
3 Europe – Sahara desert
4 South America – Kangaroo
5 Australia – Biggest continent
Answer:
1. Asia – Biggest continent
2. Africa – Sahara desert
3. Europe – Vatican city
4. South America – Amazon forest
5. Australia – Kangaroo
III. True or False.
1. Asia is the third largest continent. ( False)
2. India has one of the seven wonders of the world. (True)
3. Brazil is one of the largest coffee producer in the world. (True)
4. The great barrier reef is in India. (False)
5. Antarctica has half year of light. (True)
IV. Answer the following.
1. Name the continents.
The seven continents of the world are:
l. Asia
2. Africa
3. North America
4. South America
5. Antarctica
6. Europe
7. Australia.
2. Where is the Taj Mahal is located?
The Taj Mahal is located in Agra on the banks of river Yamuna.
3. Describe North America’s important features.
* North America is entirely within the Northern Hemisphere. North America is the third largest continent by area, following Asia and Africa.
* North America is the only continent in the world that has all climate types.
4. Where is the Great Barrier Reef located?
The Great Barrier Reef is located in Australia. It is the pride and joy of Australia. It is made up of nearly 2,500 individual reefs and they are visible from space.
5. Which continent is called the Frozen continent?
Antarctica is the coldest continent on Earth. It is also called the White Continent or the Frozen Continent.
V. Answer the following in detail.
1. Write a short note on any two continents.
Europe: Europe and Asia are parts of the same major landmass. Europe is separated from Asia by the Ural mountains and the Caspian Sea. The world’s smallest country, the Vatican city, is in Europe. The Volga is one of the longest rivers in Europe.
Some countries in European continent are : France, Spain, United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Austria, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy.
Australia: Australia is an Island continent covered with unique landscapes and natural wonders. The Great Barrier Reef, the pride and joy of Australia is made up of nearly 2,500 individual reefs and visible from space. Australia includes the inside of Tasmania and numerous small islands.
2. Write a note on the monuments of India.
India has several historical monuments. Taj Mahal is one such monument. It is situated in Agra on the banks of river Yamuna. Taj Mahal is built completely using white marble stones. This most beautiful monument is recognised as one of the seven wonders of the world.
Other historic monuments in India include India Gate Delhi, Sanchi Stuba in Bhopal, Gateway of India in Mumbai, St. George Fort and Gangai Konda Cholapuram in Tamil Nadu.
3. Give a detail study of Australia
Australia is an Island continent covered with unique landscapes and natural wonders. The Great Barrier Reef, the pride and joy of Australia is made up of nearly 2,500 individual reefs and visible from space. Australia includes the inside of Tasmania and numerous small islands.
FUN WITH
ACTIVITY
PROJECT:
Stick the flags of any five countries.
ACTIVITY
Let us Paste
Collect and paste pictures of seven wonders of the world.
ACTIVITY
Let us write
* Write the name of the country and its continent in the table below.
Country : Continent
India : Asia
Zimbabwe : Africa
Canada : North America
Argentina : South America
France : Europe
Think
Which state is called the Bread Basket of India?
Answer: Punjab
